Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary and Chairman of the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission (PRRC) Lito Atienza appeals to residents of Paco, Manila to stop throwing their garbage into the waterways during an ocular inspection of the Estero de Paco recently. Atienza told the residents that the clean up of the Pasig River will only be achieved with the cooperation of all concerned sectors. Atienza directed the PRRC to continue the clean up of the historic river and its tributaries, and at the same time, urged the non-government organization, Bantay Kalikasan of ABS-CBN, to help in re-orienting the communities along the river on proper waste management.

In light of the recent calamity to hit the metropolis, I am urging the public to dispose of their garbage properly. Garbage left in the streets and open areas and thrown in waterways contributed to the widespread flooding in Metro Manila.

The unprecedented volume of rainfall that fell on the National Capital Region and other neighboring provinces could be attributed to climate change, but the garbage irresponsibly thrown in open areas and in waterways also contributed to the flooding as they blocked the flow of rainwater into the seas.

The widespread flooding is no longer a wake-up call but rather an alarm on climate change. Unless necessary steps are taken, this week-end’s catastrophe will not be the last. Nature’s wrath is now being felt by all of us as a result of decades of environmental abuse.“ God always forgives, man sometimes forgives but nature never forgives.” .

The DENR has taken note of the tragic consequences of environmental degradation as I am directing the accelerated implementation and enforcement of the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act (Republic Act No. 9003), the dredging of the Pasig river and the removal of illegal fishpens in the Laguna Lake.

We will soon start reviewing the list of local government units that have not moved an inch in complying with the Solid Waste Act and start filing cases. This blatant defiance of the law is one of the reasons why a lot of lives were lost during this latest environmental tragedy.

Laguna Lake Development Authority General Manager Edgar Manda has already committed not to allow the repair of fish pens that were destroyed and washed out by typhoon Ondoy.

Nature is already doing the job of LLDA of liberating the lake of illegal structures. These should no longer be allowed to be repaired.

Former Manila Assemblyman, General Manager of the National Housing Authority, Manila Vice-Mayor for 6 years, Mayor of Manila for 9 years, and Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources